Wellington, July 14 NZPA - The Maori Party has kept a low profile over the arrest of anti-whaling campaigner Pete Bethune... until today. Maverick Maori MP Hone Harawira says Mr Bethune is a hero.

Wellington, July 13 NZPA - The Government isn't taking kindly to anti-whaling protester Pete Bethune after his caustic claims that New Zealand "rolled over" to the Japanese.

Wellington, July 12 NZPA - Anti-whaling protester Pete Bethune is "downright ungrateful" for the support he received from New Zealand officials while incarcerated in Japan, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - The outgoing Japanese ambassador in Canberra has urged Australia to take a more "robust" attitude toward the activities of the Sea Shepherd activists -- such as New Zealander Pete Bethune -- in the Southern Ocean.

By Chris Ormond and Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 7 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has stopped short of commenting on the sentence handed down to anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune but says it would have come as a huge relief to him and his family.

Wellington, May 31 NZPA - Anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune on trial in Japan, today denied an assault charge, saying rancid butter stink bombs he threw at Japanese harpoon ships were no more acidic than orange juice.

Wellington, March 15 NZPA - The arrest of Auckland anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune has drawn a mixed response in Japan, with some officials saying he should have been deported.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - Former round the world racing boat Earthrace, in Hobart after repairs, is awaiting clearance from New Zealand authorities before it can rejoin The Sea Shepherd anti-whaling group in the Southern Ocean.